Improvement in explosive shells for ordnance



L. WELLS.

sneu.

No. 49,326. Patented Aug. 8. 1865.

w fla certain Improvements in UNITED STATES PATENT einen.

LEMUEL WELLS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l19,326,

dated August S, 1865; antedated July 2e, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEMUEL WELLS, of the city and State of New York,have invented Shells for Ordnance; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference beinghad to the accom panyin gdrawings, and to the letters ot' referencemarked thereon.

My invention consists in a fuse-hole formed on the tapering portion ofthe shell, in combination with a projection so arranged on the outsideof the shell in respect to the said fusehole as to protect the outer endof the fusetube when the shell penetrates a wall or other object. v

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and use myinvention, I will now proceed to describe its construction andoperation.

On reference tothe accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, Figures l and 2 are longitudinal sections of my improvedshell, Fig. 3, a transverse section on the line 1 2, Fig. l; and Fig. 4,a transverse section on the line 3 4, Fig. 2.

One portion of the shell-from w to m-is made cylindrical and the otherportion-from a: to g/-taperin g, either in the form seen in Fig. l orthat shown in Fig. 2, or in a form approximating to either.V A recess,A, which I term A the air-chamber, is formed at the rear of the shell,and this chamber is separated by the partition afroru the chamber B,which contains the bursting-charge. The rear of the latter chamber ismade of the concave form represented in the drawings, and graduallytapers toward the front end of the shell.

An annular flange, D, is formed at the rear of the shell by the chamberA, and in this iiange is an annular recess for the reception of thesoft-metal ring E, holes e communicating between this recess and thechamber A. In Fig. 4 this ring E is shown as being perfectly plain onthe outside, and in Fig. 3 it is illustrated las being provided withproject-ion j' for litting into the grooves ofthe gun. Another cireularrecess is formed in the outside of the annular flange D, for thereception ofthe ring Gr, of wood, thin metal, or other suitablematerial, which is .so-much thinner than the recess is deep that a spaceremains in the latter on the outside of the ring for the reception of asupply of tallow or other like lubricating material. Small openings hform communication between the air-chamber A and the recess last alludedto.

In the partition a, which separates the airchamber A from thecharge-chamber B, is a central opening, in which are cut screw-threadsfor the reception of the screwed portion m of the metal fuse-tube H, thelatter having an enlargement, n, forming a shoulder, between which andthe partition c intervenes a washer, p, of gum-elastic, leather, orother like material. This fuse-tube extends in one direction to therear, or nearly to the rear, end of the shell, the other end projectinginto and about half-way through the chamber B. The tube is closed atboth ends; but near the rear end it has an opening, q, and near thefront end an opening,t. Anopeninghavinginternalscrewthreads is also madethrough the tapering portion of the shell, for the reception of thescrewed portion of the fuse-tube K, the latter being open at the outerend and closed at the inner end. Near the latter, however, is a hole,t', which communicates with the charge.

On the tapering portion of the shell is cast a projection, 7c, which issituated adjacent to and in frontof the hole for the reception of thefuse-tube K.

When the shells have to be used against and to penetrate veryr hardobjects, I secure a steel tip, Z, to the front end of the shell, asshown in red lines, Fig. 1, the shank of the tip being driven tight intoan opening in the end of the shell, against which the shoulder c of thetip bears.

In order to prevent the ring E from turning on the shell as the latterpasses through the bore, I make one or more recesses in the shelladjacent to that which contains the ring, and permit the molten metal,in casting the ring, to iow into these recesses.

When the fuse-tube K has to be used the hole for the reception of thefuse-tube H is lled with the screw-plug w, as seen in Fig. 2, and whenthe latter fnse-tube has to be used the hole in the side of the shellfor the reception of the fuse-tube K is lled with a plain screw-plug. Iprefer the use of the fuse-tube K when the shell has to be used againstthe stone or brick walls of a fort, or against vessels, or duringengagements on land but when the fuse-tube His preferable, for thereason the fuse-tube K is protected by the projection the shell hns tobe used against earth-Works I claim as my invention and desire to Secureby Letters Patent- The fuse-hole formed in the tapering portion of theshell,in combination with the projection th at the nir-chamber willrarely be so far choked with eztrth or sund when the shell is buried inthe sume as to prevent the free burning of the lc on the latter. fuse,whereas the side fuse, K, being covered i In testimony whereof Ih'ftvesigned my naine with the sand, the latter might extinguish or to thisspecification in the presence of two subimpede the free burning of thecontents of the Seribing Witnesses. fuse.

It will be observed that when the shell penetrates a Wall or otherobject the outer end of LEMUEL WELLS.

Witnesses CHARLES E. FOSTER, JOHN WHITE.

7c, previously alluded to.

The usual fuse-powder is employed in both the tubes.

